Butte County, South Dakota

Survey Area SD019• South Dakota

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. This report summarizes the major soil map units across the survey area to help you understand what to expect when buying, building, or gardening in Butte County, South Dakota. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.

Soil Map Unit	Acres	Drainage	Hydro Group	Dwellings	Septic
Winler clay, 0 to 9 percent slopes	197K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Lismas clay, 10 to 40 percent slopes	149K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Slickspots-Wasa complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes	61K	Well drained	D	Not limited	Very limited
Absher-Slickspots complex, 0 to 9 percent slopes	55K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Pierre clay, 2 to 6 percent slopes	39K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Pierre clay, 6 to 20 percent slopes	36K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Arvada-Slickspots complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes	35K	Well drained	D	Somewhat limited	Not limited
Hisle-Slickspots complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes	33K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Wasa-Slickspots complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes	32K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Twotop clay, 0 to 9 percent slopes	32K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Kyle clay, 2 to 6 percent slopes	30K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Twilight-Assinniboine fine sandy loams, 3 to 9 percent slopes	29K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Stetter clay, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	28K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Swanboy clay, 0 to 3 percent slopes	26K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Twilight fine sandy loam, 3 to 25 percent slopes	25K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Epsie-Shale land complex, 9 to 45 percent slopes	24K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Sage-Slickspots complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes	23K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Midway-Razor silty clay loams, 3 to 15 percent slopes	22K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Shale land	22K	Excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Cabbart-Scroggin loams, 6 to 25 percent slopes	20K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited

Soil Orders in This Area

The USDA classifies every soil into one of 12 soil orders. Here are the dominant orders found in this survey area.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

Mollisols

Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

Vertisols

High-clay soils that shrink and swell dramatically. Fertile but challenging for foundations and septic systems.

Aridisols

Dry-climate soils with low organic matter. Often have caliche layers that make excavation difficult. Low shrink-swell is good for foundations.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 86% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 96% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Despite good drainage overall, limitations may stem from shallow bedrock, steep slopes, or seasonal conditions. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.

Gardening & Agriculture

Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.